TRAINING OF BOYS

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 15

TRAINING OF BOYS

SELECTING A CAREER ADDRESS BY MR W. G. ALDRIDGE The training of boys in the schools for positions and the ultimate places attained bv these boys were dealt with bv Mr W. G. Aldridge, principal of the Dunedin Technical High School, m an address last night to the local centre of the Faculty of Insurance, Mr Aldridge giving a very able analysis 01, and commentary on, the present system. Mr W. W. Johnston (president of the centre) presided over a fair attendance. , , ~ Mr Aldridge, who took ns the title of his address 4 Tho Choice of a Career,’ said that education was the most developed form of social insurance, and tho best investment tho country could make was an investment in youth. He would confine his talk to ‘the conditions affecting boys, ho said. The choice of a career was a difficult one. and people were, perhaps, fortunate that circumstances sometimes relieved them of choice. I hey were twice called on to chooso care, rs —once for themselves and once lor their children. Most parents were puzzled and uncertain about vocations for their sons, so they either pushed them into any -work offering or let them wander. _ . Comparing to-day in INew Zealand with those existing 30 years ago, the lecturer said that one could see what a great change had taken place. Formerly people were eager, but now they were disillusioned and disappointed; previously a large number of immigrants came into tho Dominion, but during the last five years people had been trying to get away ; tho birth rate then had been much higher than now. Other comparisons were made by. Mr Aldridge to show that there was a totally different outlook to-dav, and to show that certain opportunities no longer existed for youths. A German writer had recently stated that the ‘ five points which should he kept in tho forefront of educational matters were:—(l) Grant a free path to the industrious; (2) give to each boy the place to which his performances entitled him; (3) teach tho untaught; (4) employers must substitute selection for chance; (5) everything done for the youths should be in tho best interests of national service.

As showing the prospects of boys who took up positions in different vocations obtaining, executive posts, the speaker stated that the following table should be of value: —On a farm the chances were 1 in 1; in industry, 1 in 5; transport, 1 in 6; commerce and finance, 1 in 2; public administration and professional work, 1 in 3. Mr Aldridge concluded his address by ewphasising several points which slier I be noted by employers, parents, and boys.

Later, the chairman presented tho diplomas of A.A.1.1. to Messrs T. H, Mulholland and C. H. N. Howell.